Financial Stability
RBA tackles hidden fees in credit cards
The Reserve Bank of Australia ruled on Monday 23 February that Visa's debit card was a payments system and covered by the Payment Systems Act, allowing the bank to set standards for the card.
Oman plans new settlement system
The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) plans to introduce a real time gross settlement (RTGS) system for faster inter-bank transactions, a report said.
Bhutan to launch automated teller machines
The Bhutan National Bank, a commercial bank, will start operating an ATM facility from March this year. Software problems had delayed the introduction of the machines but these have now been solved.
Sri Lanka's settlement systems implemented
LogicaCMG has announced that it has successfully implemented the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System and the Scripless Securities Settlement (SSS) System for the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Changes in Swedish banknote and coin series 2005
In order to reduce the risk of counterfeiting and to facilitate the recognition of genuine banknotes, the Sveriges Riksbank has decided to increase the security details in 50-kronor and 1000-kronor banknotes.
Bank of Canada unveils new $100 bank note
The Bank of Canada has unveiled Canada's new $100 bank note, which will go into circulation beginning 17 March. David Dodge said all Canadians can use the new notes "with comfort and with pride".
Pakistan plans to open ATM service in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's banking sector will move over the next few weeks from comprising just six rundown specialist banks to one where several international commercial operations compete for business, according to Afghanistan's central bank chief.
Bank cards get OK for Hong Kong use
Mainland-based banks have got agreement from the People's Bank of China to expand their bank card business in Hong Kong, even though overseas banks are still banned from issuing bank cards on the Chinese mainland.
Canada to unveil its new $100 bank note
Canada will unveil its new $100 bank note on 28 January 2004. The first high denomination note in the Canadian Journey series will be unveiled by the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge.
PBOC appoints clearing bank for RMB business
The People's Bank of China has appointed Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited as the Clearing Bank for RMB Business in Hong Kong.
Modified notes agreed by Russian central bank
The Board of Directors of the Russian Central Bank has given the OK to the introduction of modified 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 ruble notes.
UAE central bank to upgrade UAESWITCH
The UAE Central Bank has announced the signing of a contract with S2 Systems to upgrade the UAESWITCH system.
Duisenberg at a discount
Despite a splendid send-off in October, including a blizzard of awards from European countries, the image of Wim Duisenberg, the former president of the ECB, is starting to fade, CentralBankNet can exclusively reveal.
2002 statistics for CPSS countries payment systems
This annual BIS publication provides data on payments and payment systems in the CPSS countries: Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
Trinidad and Tobago select RTGS provider
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has awarded a contract to LogicaCMG to implement a Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system and Government Securities Settlement system, reports PRNewswire. The governor of the central bank said, "The…
Kenyan inquiry hears of spying claims
The commission inquiring into the Goldenberg affair in Kenya heard testimony from a witness this week that a sophisticated intelligence system was in place at the central bank of Kenya, according to a report by The Daily Nation. The central bank's head…
RBI to set up new payment board
The Reserve Bank of India is to set up a board for payment and settlement systems to provide efficient governance and best practices in risk management, reports the Business Standard. This would ensure that all payments and settlements in the country are…
Bulgaria National Bank gets new network system
The National Bank of Bulgaria will use the technology from Sydney-based Integrated Research (IR) to monitor and manage the national ATM network, according to a report by FinExtra.
The future of Europe's payments: Target 2
The Eurosystem's payment system - Target - is set for a restructuring which will place emphasis on consolidation and cost effectiveness of the existing linked national payment systems. In this brochure the ECB outlines what Target 2 will require of…
BGN 100 banknote introduced in Sofia
The governor of the National Bank of Bulgaria Ivan Iskrov introduced the first BGN 100 banknote in Sofia on Wednesday 3 december, according to a report by Sofia Morning News, with deputy governor Tsvetan Manchev explaining that the note will make cash…
New Hong Kong banknotes
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced that its new series of HK$100 and HK$500 banknotes will be put into circulation from 15 December.
US Fed to expand ACH payment system to Latin Am
Atlanta Fed officials have said that the Federal Reserve's ACH payment system will be expanded to include a Latin American country in 2004, according to Business News America, but the Atlanta retail payments office did not reveal the country due to…
Bulgarian national bank issues golden coin
The National Bank of Bulgaria is to issue a commemorative golden coin "The Blessing Virgin Mary" on Monday 1 December, according to the Sofia Morning News. 20,000 of the coins will be issued with nominal value BGN 20.
De La Rue plans factory closure in UK
Bank note printer De La Rue plans to sell two of its UK factories after demand for UK personal cheques, export stamps and coin bags all slumped, according to a report in The Scotsman. A spokesman said: "It's hard to predict how long cheques will survive,…